As a former homeschool mom, I know the importance of finding quality products to integrate into our children’s education. Groovy Lab in a Box is one of the companies I have promoted here on the blog. I love them because they provide quality educational tools for children to gain rich experiences in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and now the arts. Occasionally, the people at Groovy Labs will send us information to share with you. Sometimes the information is in the form of a blog post that Groovy Labs encourages us to share on our blogs, much like a guest post.

The post I most recently received is especially good because we learn more about how Groovy Lab boxes are assembled behind the scenes. You might be surprised to learn how these great educational products are put together for our kids! Groovy Labs teams up with employees of non-profit VersAbility. VersAbility helps people living with disabilities gain independence through work and living experiences. Read on to discover that your subscription to Groovy Lab in a Box not only supplements your child’s education, but also benefits a wonderful community of people in Virginia who help put the boxes together.

Groovy Lab in a Box: Pride in Our Box

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Every month subscribing STEMists (kids ages 8+) receive a groovy, retro style Groovy Lab in a Box that contains hours of exciting STEM fun and engineering design challenges. Each box is carefully put together and filled with theme-specific objects that make up their Groovy Lab in a Box. Many STEMists don’t realize that there is more to the friendly, retro Groovy Lab in a Box than meets the eye. So, who puts the Groovy boxes together? Employees of the non-profit Versability Resources of Virginia get the job done!

“Groovy Lab in a Box is proud to partner with VersAbility Resources to ensure our subscribers receive their completed box delivered right to their STEMists’ door,” said Elaine Hansen, co-founder of Groovy Lab in a Box.

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Since 1953, VersAbility Resources has been helping individuals with disabilities gain independence through work and living experience to help them lead fuller, richer lives. VersAbility creates opportunities for individuals to make the most of their abilities, contribute to society, and enjoy the satisfaction of working and earning their own living. “There is much excitement when the new boxes are being built,” said Laurie Williams, Senior Operations Manager. “A job filled with a colorful variety of elements like Groovy Lab in a Box work is fascinating.”

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia learned how the VersAbility team aka “Team Groovy” carefully assembles all the Groovy Lab in a Box parts and materials. Senator Warner talked about the importance of business leaders supporting programs like Versability Resources in addition to developing more initiatives for the disabled. He praised VersAbility Resources for the work they are doing. “I just wish I could bring more business leaders and members of Congress to see this remarkable, remarkable organization.”

Photo Used by Permission via Affiliate Program

Photo Used by Permission via Affiliate Program

The VersAbility business services team carefully assembles all the Groovy Lab in a Box parts, including every electronic, Groovy lab notebook, pipette, battery and other materials that make up the themed Groovy Lab in a Box. VersAbility now serves over 1,400 people with disabilities and their families each year in employment, community living, day support, and early childhood programs explained Williams.

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“There is planning discussion in the weeks leading up to the fulfillment with Groovy Lab in a Box creators to collaborate and design the best product while keeping in mind any special needs of the business services staff. The process to assemble the boxes is collaborative with some people building smaller elements that make up the box. Other individuals may make the box itself, while someone else is putting the final touches on placing all the products in the box,” said Williams. “The work between VersAbility Resources and a customer is a true collaboration that can enhance a great product through the fulfillment and delivery. We have an excellent relationship with Groovy Lab in a Box, which makes for an amazing product and an enjoyable work relationship.”

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VersAbility’s goal is to help people obtain meaningful work opportunities and participate fully in their communities. The business services aspect is only one of several services available through the non-profit. Other services that provide VersAbility participants the opportunity to earn a living and lead an independent life include bulk mailings, publishing, linen and food services, community service, summer camp counseling and more.

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Monica Canavan, co-founder of Groovy Lab in a Box said, “Groovy Lab in a Box places great value on VersAbility’s vision that helps to improve the quality of life at work, home, and in play for persons with disabilities at all levels.”

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So, the next time you find your STEMists’ Groovy Lab in a Box on your doorstep or in your mailbox, know that the assembly of all its parts was carefully and proudly packaged by individuals who may have a disability, but have an enormous heart and display great pride in their work.

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Photo Used by Permission via Affiliate Program

Subscribe to Groovy Lab in a Box or check out a Single Box today with FREE SHIPPING! to help your STEMists continue to stimulate their science, technology, engineering, and mathematic abilities.

Homeschool resources can be expensive. I homeschooled my daughter for three years. I didn’t know about Educents then. I wish I had! I spent a small fortune on curriculum materials. Well, for the whole month of January, Educents is honoring homeschoolers. Educents offers a wealth of resources for affordable prices. You don’t have to sell everything you own so that you can afford to homeschool your child. I only wish I had known sooner.

Here’s a list of the best affordable homeschool resources – all available for $30 or less on Educents.

Helpful Homeschool Resources

Homeschool Music Journey – These 12 activities and 8 coloring pages introduce kids to a world of music-related fun, from Australian clapsticks to Indian ankle bells and Egyptian rattles. These projects fit perfectly into any homeschool curriculum where music is a part of the learning and discovery!

Photography Lessons for Kids – Add some fun to your homeschool! Whether your kids have a point and shoot or a DSLR camera, the fundamental rules of photography can still be taught.

Math Resources

Tegu Geometric Blocks – Here’s a hands-on way to learn geometric shapes. These blocks come in many shapes and colors.

Times Tales DVD – Kids can learn their times tables in a snap! Most homeschoolers say this DVD only takes about an hour to teach kids the upper times tables. There’s also a downloadable version available.

Life of Fred Math Stories – After reading the Fred books, kids will never say “math is boring” ever again. These fictional stories weave in math concepts with real world examples. Start with the Apples book for early math, and follow Fred all the way to calculus lessons!

Science Activities

Early Access Tyto Online – Learn, create, and play with your student. These polymers can help teach measurements, chemical reactions, and following directions.

One Minute Science Mysteries – Each story, just one minute long, challenges students’ knowledge in earth, space, life, physical, chemical, and general science.

When I first started homeschooling my daughter, a friend introduced me to the Life of Fred series for teaching math, but they are about so much more than just math.

Unexpected Lessons from Life of Fred

Life Of Fred is like no other math program out there. This math book series is known for weaving math concepts into exciting stories about a 5-year-old math genius. The author has tossed in valuable lessons that kids wouldn’t typically find in a math textbook.

Many of Fred’s readers will say that these books are very fun to read. But why? Here’s what one homeschooler says about the books:

“Even if the math concepts are a review, your kids will enjoy learning about the zany extras in each book. My son still enjoys saying toenail in German. That’s an additional important life skill if I say so myself. ?” -Jamerrill, FreeHomeschoolDeals.com

It’s true that the Fred books are full of unexpected lessons beyond math concepts. Here are a few of our favorite unexpected lessons from the Life of Fred Elementary Math Series.

Unexpected Lesson #1

In Chapter Nineteen of Butterflies, “Mysteries of Life,” Fred and his buddy Kingie receive a pizza delivery. Kingie proceeds to chomp down his half of the pizza (Kingie says he is so hungry because “being an artist is hard work”). But Fred takes a moment to set the table while the pizza cools off. He shows the reader how to set a table:

Place mat goes down first.
Then the plate and the napkin.
Then the fork on top of the napkin.
Knife and spoon on the right with the knife next to the plate.
The cup above the knife.

Unexpected Lesson #2

In the Edgewood book, students work with concurrent lines, the commutative law of addition, touch on quadrilateral shapes, and more! The materials covered in this 128 page book are parallel lines, right angles, functions, quarter of an hour, half dozen, six examples of functions, math poems, the four kinds of sentences, firearm safety & more!

In Chapter Fourteen, “Food and Warmth,” your student reviews how to calculate half of a number, measurement of distance, counting calories in a meal, and the phases of the moon. Fred’s bus breaks down outside of town, and he was determined to run to town to get help. It was 6 p.m., and Fred did not want to run in the dark.

“Maybe there will be a full moon, Fred thought. Then there would be enough light to keep on running.”

In the next chapter of Edgewood, Fred explains the meaning of voluntary and involuntary actions. How does he fit all of these lessons together to create a funny math story? You just have to read the book and find out!!

Unexpected Lesson #3

In the Honey book, students work on fun math activities with Fred as he goes through fractions, multiplication facts, unit conversions and more! Perhaps your child hasn’t thought about starting their own business yet, but it’s never too soon to spark the idea to become an entrepreneur. In Chapter Fourteen, “Starting a Business,” Kingie puts on his businessman hat. (Fun Fact: Kingie sells his own art.) Kingie explains the risks of starting your own business. He then goes over the “Checklist for Starting a Business” with Fred.

At the end of the chapter, the reader is asked to check Fred’s business calculations. Will his business be profitable? Later in the book, Fred continues to follow his dream of becoming an apiarist. (Yes, the book explains that an apiarist is too!)

More about the Life of Fred Elementary Math Series:

Who is it for? Kindergarten to 4th grade

Concepts covered: time, types of numbers, geometry, measurement, facts about stars, morse code, geography, adjectives & verbs, patterns, functions, sheet music, seven wonders of the world, math poems, percents, numbers vs. numerals, division, slope of a line, graphing, notation, the improper use of seat belts, how to prove you are not a duck, reducing fractions, and so much more.

$20 OFF GREEN KID CRAFT’S

ST. PATRICK’S DAY SALE!

Green Kid Crafts is a monthly creativity and STEAM box subscription service that provides all the hands-on materials needed to inspire creative and educational fun. Plus, they also offer tons of single boxes with themes like Kitchen Science, Ocean, Mad Scientist, Nocturnal Animals, Green Energy, and much more. This month, save $20 off a 12-month subscription with code LUCK20. Offer expires midnight3.18.16. Visit here to reserve your box!

Green Kid Crafts is an environmentally friendly company that provides educational and fun activities for kids. Parents can purchase single boxes or subscription services. Parents and kids can work together to complete engaging experiments and projects.

Green Kid Crafts is a family owned business. It was started by a working mom who is also an environmental scientist. Penny Bauder wanted to spend quality time with her kids while teaching them to respect our environment. Green Kid Crafts is committed to ensuring that every box contains environmentally friendly products. Kids learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities that have as little impact on the environment as possible.

Green Kid Craft boxes are 100% recycled. They use recycled labels and envelopes for shipping. They integrate eco-awareness into their box themes as much as possible. They minimize packaging and printing and use recycled materials. They bundle materials using plant-based, compostable clear bags. They avoid craft foams and plastics. They ensure supplies can be composted, recycled and/or reused whenever possible. They give back. At least 1% of sales is donated to environmental organizations through their membership in 1% for the Planet.

Starting today, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Green Kid Crafts is offering $20 off a 12 month subscription. Be sure to use the code LUCK20. This St. Patrick’s Day special offer ends at midnight on March 18, 2016.

Fly With Me – Get 50% off the “Fly With Me” Single Box from Groovy Lab in a Box!

50% OFF “Fly With Me” Single Box!

Get 50% off the “Fly With Me” Single Box: Are you looking for the perfect STEM activity for children, ages 8 and older? Consider Groovy Lab in a Box! Groovy Lab in a Box is a monthly STEM kit that encourages critical thinking, problem solving and fun! Groovy Lab in a Box incorporates STEM investigations and an Engineering Design Challenge – all designed around the Next Generation Science Standards. Each box has a retro-themed lab notebook and access to the Beyond…in a Box, a special web portal for additional groovy STEM fun!

In fact, Popular Mechanics magazine included Groovy Lab in a Box in its 100% Wholesome Holiday Gift Guide – a compilation of some of the best toys that promote scientific inquiry and engineering.

Take advantage of Groovy Lab in a Box’s sale and check it out for yourself! You can get 50% off “Fly With Me” Single Box! Just use code FLY50 at checkout. Hurry and be sure to give your STEM Friends a groovy heads up while supplies last. US residents only.

Engineering Design Challenge: You are a starry-eyed aerospace engineer and a groovy world traveler. You dream of taking off in the blue, gliding where the air is stratified and floating down to Peru. Using only the materials from your Groovy Lab in a Box, can you design, build, and launch an airplane generating thrust with a propeller which travels fifteen feet? STEMists, get ready to pack up and fly away!

Today, we’ll continue our Grammar series with The Subjunctive Mood. You can read about our previous grammar lessons here.

There are three ways a verb can express an action or condition – indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.

The indicative mood is used to make factual statements or to ask questions.

The imperative mood is used to give orders or directions.

The subjunctive mood is used to express ideas, demands, and proposals.

We are using a Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar Textbook for our homeschool grammar lessons, but there are plenty of online resources to help you educate your child at home. The following online resources are intended for various grade levels. Check them out and use the ones that best suit your child’s needs. [Read more…]

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